Multi-dose inhaler

Abstract

The present invention relates to an inhaler device and provides such a device comprising first and second compartments ( 4, 6 ) movable relative to one another such that, upon movement of said components ( 4, 6 ), operating means ( 16, 28, 40, 42, 44, 46 ) advances a cartridge compartment ( 140 ) into a predetermined position relative to medicament extraction facilitating means ( 14 ) and extends the medicament extraction facilitating means ( 14 ) into a position adjacent said advanced compartment ( 140 ) for allowing medicament extraction upon inhalation by a user.

1. An inhaler device comprising first and second components movable relative to one another; means for receiving a medicament cartridge comprising a plurality of compartments containing medicament; medicament extraction facilitating means for locating adjacent a compartment of a received cartridge and thereby allowing an extraction of medicament therefrom; and operating means which, when activated by a user, advances a cartridge compartment of a received cartridge into a predetermined position relative to the medicament extraction facilitating means and extends the medicament extraction facilitating means into a position adjacent said advanced compartment for allowing medicament extraction upon inhalation by a user; wherein the operating means is mounted relative to said first and second components so as to be activated in response to said first and second components being moved relative to one another by a user, and wherein the operating means comprises biasing means for applying a force to a received cartridge which, on activation of the operating means, advances said compartment towards said predetermined position; the inhaler device being characterised in that the cartridge receiving means and the cartridge biasing means are secured to said first component, and in that the operating means further comprises two pins which are each further secured to said first component so as each to be movable between an extended position, in which the respective pin is engageable with a received cartridge so as to limit the cartridge advancement caused by said biasing force, and a retracted position, in which the respective pin is spaced from a received cartridge so as to not limit cartridge advancement. 
   
   
     2. An inhaler device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the operating means further comprises two camming members secured to said second component which are each arranged so as to move a different one of the two pins in response to said first and second components being moved relative to one another by a user. 
   
   
     3. An inhaler device as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein said two pin camming members are arranged so as to ensure at least one pine is located in the extended position regardless of the position of said first component relative to said second component. 
   
   
     4. An inhaler device as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein a space is provided between a medicament cartridge and a pin moved from a retracted position into engagement therewith, the space being such that, when a first pin moves from an extended position into a retracted position, the space between the cartridge and a second pin engaged therewith is closed as the cartridge advances under the bias of the biasing means. 
   
   
     5. An inhaler device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the operating means retracts the medicament extraction facilitating means from adjacent said advanced compartment when further activated by a user, wherein the operating means is mounted relative to said first and second components so as to be further activated in response to said first and second components being moved relative to one another by a user. 
   
   
     6. An inhaler device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the medicament extraction facilitating means is secured to said first component so as to be movable between an extended position, in which the extraction facilitating means is located adjacent a cartridge compartment for allowing medicament extraction therefrom, and a retracted position, in which the extraction facilitating means is spaced from said cartridge compartment so as to not limit cartridge advancement; and the operating means comprises camming means secured to said second component which is arranged so as to move the extraction facilitating means in response to said first and second components being moved relative to one another by a user. 
   
   
     7. An inhaler device as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein said camming means comprises two separate camming members of which moves the extraction facilitating means towards the extended position and a second of which moves the extraction facilitating means towards the retracted position. 
   
   
     8. An inhaler device as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the operating means comprises a lever pivotally secured to said first component and connecting the extraction facilitating means to one of said two separate caroming members. 
   
   
     9. An inhaler device as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising counting means for indicating to a user the number of compartments remaining to be advanced. 
   
   
     10. An inhaler device as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the counting means comprises a member provided with indicia and means for moving said member across a window when a compartment is advanced. 
   
   
     11. An inhaler device as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a mouthpiece secured to one of said components and in fluid communication with the medicament extraction facilitating means, and a mouthpiece cover secured to the other of said components. 
   
   
     12. An inhaler device as claimed in  claim 1 , comprising a mouthpiece and a mouthpiece cover for covering the mouthpiece. 
   
   
     13. An inhaler device as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the mouthpiece cover is fixed to the mouthpiece so as to allow relative rotational movement of the mouthpiece and mouthpiece cover between a first configuration, in which the mouthpiece is covered, and a second configuration, in which the mouthpiece is uncovered. 
   
   
     14. An inhaler device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the extraction facilitating means comprises a fluid passage defining a venturi. 
   
   
     15. An inhaler device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the extraction facilitating means comprises means for piercing a compartment. 
   
   
     16. An inhaler device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein means are provided for preventing advancement of the cartridge once the medicament extraction facilitating means has been located adjacent each compartment of the cartridge. 
   
   
     17. An inhaler device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein a stop member is provided on the cartridge which, when engaged with a stop member provided on one of said first and second components, prevents movement of the cartridge further than the last dose. 
   
   
     18. An inhaler device comprising first and second components movable relative to one another; means for receiving a medicament cartridge comprising a plurality of compartments containing medicament; medicament extraction facilitating means for locating adjacent at compartment of a received cartridge and thereby allowing an extraction of medicament therefrom; and operating means which, when activated by a user, advances a cartridge compartment of a received cartridge into a predetermined position relative to the medicament extraction facilitating means and extends the medicament extraction facilitating means into a position adjacent said advanced compartment for allowing medicament extraction upon inhalation by a user; wherein the operating means is mounted relative to said first and second components so as to be activated in response to said first and second components being moved relative to one another by a user, wherein the medicament extraction facilitating means is secured to said first comronent so as to be movable between an extended position, in which the extraction facilitating means is located adjacent a cartridge compartment for allowing medicament extraction therefrom, and a retracted position, in which the extraction facilitating means is spaced from said cartridge compartment so as to not limit cartridge advancement; and the operating means comprises camming means secured to said second component which is arranged so as to move the extraction facilitating means in response to said first and second components being moved relative to one another by a user. 
   
   
     19. An inhaler device as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein said camming means comprises two separate camming members, a first of which moves the extraction facilitating means towards the extended position and a second of which moves the extraction facilitating means towards the retracted position. 
   
   
     20. An inhaler device as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein the operating means comprises a lever pivotally secured to said first component and connecting the extraction facilitating means to one of said two separate caroming members. 
   
   
     21. An inhaler device as claimed in  claim 18 , further comprising counting means for indicating to a user the number of compartments remaining to be advanced. 
   
   
     22. An inhaler device as claimed in  claim 21 , wherein the counting means comprises a member provided with indicia and means for moving said member across a window when a compartment is advanced. 
   
   
     23. An inhaler device as claimed in  claim 18 , further comprising a mouthpiece secured to one of said components and in fluid communication with the medicament extraction facilitating means, and a mouthpiece cover secured to the other of said components. 
   
   
     24. An inhaler device as claimed in  claim 18 , comprising a mouthpiece and a mouthpiece cover for covering the mouthpiece. 
   
   
     25. An inhaler device as claimed in  claim 24 , wherein the mouthpiece cover is fixed to the mouthpiece so as to allow relative rotational movement of the mouthpiece and mouthpiece cover between a first configuration, in which the mouthpiece is covered, and a second configuration, in which the mouthpiece is uncovered. 
   
   
     26. An inhaler device as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein the extraction facilitating means comprises a fluid passage defining a venturi. 
   
   
     27. An inhaler device as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein the extraction facilitating means comprises means for piercing a compartment. 
   
   
     28. An inhaler device as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein means are provided for preventing advancement of the cartridge once the medicament extraction facilitating means has been located adjacent each compartment of the cartridge. 
   
   
     29. An inhaler device as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein a stop member is provided on the cartridge which, when engaged with a stop member provided on one of said first and second components, prevents movement of the cartridge further than the last dose. 
   
   
     30. An inhaler device comprising first and second components movable relative to one another; means for receiving a medicament cartridge comprising a plurality of compartments containing medicament; medicament extraction facilitating means for locating adjacent a compartment of a received cartridge and thereby allowing an extraction of medicament therefrom; and operating means which, when activated by a user, advances a cartridge compartment of a received cartridge into a predetermined position relative to the medicament extraction facilitating means and extends the medicament extraction facilitating means into a position adjacent said advanced compartment for allowing medicament extraction upon inhalation by a user; wherein the operating means is mounted relative to said first and second components so as to be activated in response to said first and second components being moved relative to one another by a user, and further comprising a mouthpiece secured to one of said components and in fluid communication with the medicament extraction facilitating means, and a mouthpiece cover secured to the other of said components. 
   
   
     31. An inhaler device as claimed in  claim 30 , further comprising counting means for indicating to a user the number of compartments remaining to be advanced. 
   
   
     32. An inhaler device as claimed in  claim 31 , wherein the counting means comprises a member provided with indicia and means for moving said member across a window when a compartment is advanced. 
   
   
     33. An inhaler device as claimed in  claim 30 , wherein the extraction facilitating means comprises a fluid passage defining a venturi. 
   
   
     34. An inhaler device as claimed in  claim 30 , wherein the extraction facilitating means comprises means for piercing a compartment. 
   
   
     35. An inhaler device as claimed in  claim 30 , wherein means are provided for preventing advancement of the cartridge once the medicament extraction facilitating means has been located adjacent each compartment of the cartridge. 
   
   
     36. An inhaler device as claimed in  claim 30 , wherein a stop member is provided on the cartridge which, when engaged with a stop member provided on one of said first and second components, prevents movement of the cartridge further than the last dose. 
   
   
     37. An inhaler device comprising first and second components movable relative to one another; means for receiving a medicament cartridge comprising a plurality of compartments containing medicament; medicament extraction facilitating means for locating adjacent a compartment of a received cartridge and thereby allowing an extraction of medicament therefrom; and operating means which, when activated by a user, advances a cartridge compartment of a received cartridge into a predetermined position relative to the medicament extraction facilitating means and extends the medicament extraction facilitating means into a position adjacent said advanced compartment for allowing medicament extraction upon inhalation by a user; wherein the operating means is mounted relative to said first and second components so as to be activated in response to said first and second components being moved relative to one another by a user, and further comprising a mouthpiece and a mouthpiece cover for covering the mouthpiece, wherein the mouthpiece cover is fixed to the mouthpiece so as to allow relative rotational movement of the mouthpiece and mouthpiece cover between a first configuration, in which the mouthpiece is covered, and a second configuration, in which the mouthpiece is uncovered. 
   
   
     38. An inhaler device as claimed in  claim 37 , further comprising counting means for indicating to a user the number of compartments remaining to be advanced. 
   
   
     39. An inhaler device as claimed in  claim 38 , wherein the counting means comprises a member provided with indicia and means for moving said member across a window when a compartment is advanced. 
   
   
     40. An inhaler device as claimed in  claim 37 , wherein the extraction facilitating means comprises a fluid passage defining a venturi. 
   
   
     41. An inhaler device as claimed in  claim 37 , wherein the extraction facilitating means comprises means for piercing a compartment. 
   
   
     42. An inhaler device as claimed in  claim 37 , wherein means are provided for preventing advancement of the cartridge once the medicament extraction facilitating means has been located adjacent each compartment of the cartridge. 
   
   
     43. An inhaler device as claimed in  claim 37 , wherein a stop member is provided on the cartridge which, when engaged with a stop member provided on one of said first and second components, prevents movement of the cartridge further than the last dose.